"In England we are taking world-leading action with our ban on microbeads, and thanks to the public's support have taken over 15 billion plastic bags out of circulation with our 5p charge.

"I commend retailers, bars and restaurants that have already committed to removing plastic straws and stirrers. But we recognise we need to do more.

"Today we step-up our efforts to turn the tide on plastic pollution and ensure we leave our environment in a better state than we inherited it."

World's plastic buried deep in the ocean

Around 10% of cotton buds are flushed down toilets, often ending up in waterways and oceans, the government said.

It is hoped millions of pounds could be saved annually on clean-up efforts of used plastics, which can take years to break down.

Greenpeace UK's political adviser Sam Chetan Welsh praised ministers for doing "the sensible thing", but urged large companies to do more by cutting down on plastic packaging.

How hi-tech floater clears plastic

He said: "Our society's addiction to throwaway plastic is fuelling a global environmental crisis that must be tackled.

"Ministers are doing the sensible thing by looking to ban single-use plastic items that can be easily replaced with better alternatives or that we can simply do without. But this should be just the start.

"If we are to protect our oceans from the scourge of plastic, the flow of waste needs to be cut off at the tap. And that means the companies producing and selling all this packaging must take responsibility for it and cut down the amount of plastic ending up in our shopping baskets."